In a Rut? Tips For Getting Back on Track

I have recently gone down a rabbit hole of self- doubt, uncertainty, and total lack of motivation.

I would wake up and feel like it’s groundhog’s day- the same unproductive routine over, and over and over again.

I was stuck in a rut.

Sometimes we have these moments that creep up on us when we least expect it.

Instead of letting the negative feelings pull you down, learn how to pick yourself up- even when you feel like there’s no escaping.

Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash| Disclaimer: This post is NOT to help depression. I would advise seeking professional help if you believe you are suffering from depression.

I don’t know about you, but I need things to be shaken up in order for me to fuel my creative juices.

Being stuck and feeling like you can’t claw yourself out of it is an awful feeling.

No matter the reason for you feeling this way- work, relationships, physical or mental health- it’s normal for us to have off days!

However, sometimes that feeling sticks around longer than you would like.

Fortunately, there are some simple things that you can do to help yourself get out of that “blah” mode.

Here are few things that I did to kick start my productivity and get my positive mood back.

How to Get out of a Rut

Exercise

No matter how tired, lazy, busy, or unmotived you are.. you need to get your body moving. There are so many benefits that you will gain from just a 30-minute workout. Not only will it help you physically, but it will also help with your mental clarity. Maybe there’s a big project at work that’s causing you to get in this funk? Try up-ing your physical activity level and see how you can start to break down the problems you are dealing with.

Journal

Journaling will help you dive deep to figure out what’s going on in your noodle. Are you frustrated, sad, overwhelmed? Without trying to find a solution, you need to figure out the root of the problem. It’s great to get in a habit of jotting things down to help in the long run because maybe this rut you are in was a compounding of multiple things happening that could have been addressed. I like to set a timer for 5 minutes of uninterrupted and unedited journaling. Unedited being key- you want to let the words and feeling flood the paper, not what you THINK you should be writing. You’ll be amazed at what you find.

Eat Well & Stay Hydrated

When I feel myself starting to get into a rut, the first thing I straighten up is my diet and water intake. Sometimes getting into a better mood is just a simple fix of health. We need to fuel our body and mind with nutritious food that will power us through our days, not food that will make us sluggish and slow us down. Equally, drink that water! It’s key to stay well hydrated to help with your all over wellness. I can tell when I’ve been lacking in the health department when I start getting super unmotivated and LAZY. It’s not such a bad thing because it helps me stay on track health-wise!

Break Things Down

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. If you feel like you are overwhelmed with the number of things to do, try making small goals. It will seem less daunting and help reach what you are trying to accomplish. For instance, I was in a funk and couldn’t for the life of me finish a blog post I had started. So instead, I gave myself a small task of writing just a paragraph. All I needed was to write that. And when I did that, another paragraph. And then another. Same goes for the to-do list. Tackle a single item without thinking about all the other tasks that need to get done. Plan out your day and prioritize to be most efficient.

Get Social

Nothing is more therapeutic to me than meeting up with friends or family to just chat about life. I talk to my husband Chucky all the time about what I’m going through, and he is such a great support system. However, there are times where you need a different perspective and point of view. Grab a coffee with a close friend and just spill it all. Chances are, they will do the same for you and it will help both of you learn more about each other, as well as about what is truly going on with yourself. Socialization is key to happiness and getting yourself back on track.

Jump on the Podcast Train

I absolutely love getting fired up by listening to motivational or inspirational podcasts. Finding ones that fit exactly where I need help in my life at that moment- from getting that extra nudge for this blog, finding healing through spirituality, and even fitness motivation- there is always a podcast, book, or article that will help you. I recommend podcasts because there are literally no excuses to listen.. while you are driving, working out, or even showering. But if reading is your jam, then you do you! I am currently obsessed with listening to the Life Coach School Podcast by Brooke Castillo. She’s raw, real, and extremely motivational in helping us grow in many different aspects of our life.

Force Yourself

I acknowledge this isn’t really the advice you are looking for.. but every once in while you need to just eat that frog. Do that thing you don’t want to do AT ALL. The more you procrastinate, the more dread and stress will come from it. Just get’er done! Something I’ve been working on is getting the most important tasks done first thing in the morning. Knowing your hardest task is done and the rest of the day is smooth sailing is a fantastic feeling.

Get Some Vitamin D!

SADS, winter blues, or whatever you may call it- there is a reason these terms exist. We need some good ol’ rays of sunshine to help put us in better moods. So what if the sun hasn’t escaped the clouds in months? You can still benefit from taking a stroll on a cloudy day because the sun, believe it or not, IS behind those clouds 🙂 Just make sure to wear your sunscreen, even on the cloudiest of days.

Relax

Take a deep breath. It’s okay to not feel 100% all the time. You can’t always be Mr./Ms. Positive Pants. Sometimes these moods will wash over us and the only thing that will make us feel better is to realize that it’s okay to feel sad/down/unproductive/unmotivated. We all need breaks and maybe this is your body telling you to do just that. I have a hard time accepting that I’m stuck, but once I acknowledge it, I am able to take the steps to get me back on track.

We are all human, and life can be tough. Adulting is hard! So next time you are feeling in a rut, remember to follow some (or all!) of these steps to conquer your emotions.

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